Conan
O'Brien Can't Stop

By now, you have heard everything you ever want to know about how Conan
O'Brien used to host The Tonight Show, especially if you read
the AMAZING Bill Carter book, The War For Late Night.
However, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is not a retelling of that
sordid tale. It's a chance to hang out with one of the funniest men
alive for an hour and a half. That's really all the movie is, which is
fine by me.
Director Rodman Flender goes behind the scenes to document the
planning, writing and execution of the funny man's uber-successful
summer 2010 tour, The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on
Television Tour, he took across the country during the time he was
required to avoid TV, internet and radio appearances according to the
terms of his settlement with NBC. Little did the suits at NBC think he
would put together a show inspired by vaudeville, Eddie Murphy and
O'Brien's desire to be in front of a crowd.
Early on, Flender has a decent storyline. The audience is intrigued
about the creative process and the monumental tasks ahead. Will they
put together a good show? What will it feature? Can they sell tickets?
Sure, we know the answer, but watching it all happen in front of us
draws us in.
However, Flender, eventually, is satisfied with following O'Brien and
filming every joke, wisecrack and aside that comes out of his mouth.
While we do start to see the change in our star, especially as he gets
a bit crankier as the film and tour move forward, mostly, it's the same
scenes over and over again, just in different cities. You'll enjoy the
unguarded moments when he reveals his feelings about everything going
on around him, and interactions with his friends, family and staff,
even if it does come off as prickly from time to time. In a way, it
humanizes Saint Conan, in a good way.
I am a huge Conan fan, so you know I liked it, especially when he shows
a sense of humor about himself and his situation, no matter how morbid
the tone.
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is rated R for language

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